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1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />49 <br />50 <br />51 <br />52 <br />53 <br />54 <br />55 <br />56 <br />� r <br />Chair Bakeman closed the Public Hearing at 9:�8 p.m. <br />MOTION <br />Member poherty moved, seconded by Member Bakeman to RECOMMEND <br />APPROVAL of the requested PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT for <br />Har Mar Mall to redevelop the Firestone site with a new outloUstructure adjacent <br />to County Road B; based on comments in Section 6 and conditions of Section 7 <br />of the project report dated November 7, 2007. <br />Commissioner Boerigter advised that he would support the project; however, did not <br />support closure of the right-in/right-out access, understanding the difficulties of the <br />property owner; and opined that he was not convinced that the intersection needed to <br />be closed, while understanding the issues related to u-turns, questioned whether this <br />development would impact those issues. Commissioner Boerigter further opined that <br />the proposed improvement, or a restaurant and two (2) small retail suites, in addition <br />to improved snow removal and storm water management, and landscaping, was <br />overall a positive for the City. Commissioner Boerigter expressed concern with <br />landlord representations to lessees and the appropriateness of a condition related to <br />closure of the access; and questioned the viability of the project if that condition were <br />included, and opined that the City could not be justified in such a requirement. <br />Commissioner poherty respectfully disagreed with Commissioner Boerigter, opining <br />that if this restaurant use was successful, it would further increase negative traffic <br />issues on County Road B. Commissioner poherty further opined that drivers would <br />continue to make u-turns illegally. <br />Commissioner Boerigter suggested that the u-turn issue was a safety issue, and <br />needed more monitoring and enforcement by the Police Department; and questioned <br />the actual impact of the proposed use on overall traffic on County Road B. <br />Commissioner Gottfried concurred with Commissioner poherty, while recognizing the <br />applicanYs concerns with existing lease agreements; however, opined that the right-in <br />only was a good compromise, and addressed the traffic flow issues. Commissioner <br />Gottfried further opined that the Planning Commission would not be doing their jobs if <br />they glossed over this opportunity to address the traffic flow. <br />Chair Bakeman noted that leases could be revised going fonvard. <br />Commissioner Martin concurred that it was a public safety issue that could be <br />addressed by increased Police Department controls. <br />Mr. Paschke advised that the Police Department had stepped up patrols in that area. <br />Mr. Paschke further advised that staff concurred with Commissioner Boerigter in some <br />respects; however, noted that staff had to look at life, safety, and general health and <br />welfare issues, and this proposed project provided an opportunity to address some of <br />those concerns. Mr. Paschke enthusiastically agreed that the project was a good one, <br />and expressed staff's interest in working with Har Mar owners; however, staff could <br />not address the owner's issues with onerous lease agreements, but had to guard the <br />best interests of the City and citizens by recommending closure of the right turn-out <br />going east to eliminate an ongoing traffic safety issue. <br />MOTION TO AMEND <br />Member Bakeman moved, seconded by Member Wozniak to AMEND THE <br />ORGINAL MOTION that the existing right-in/rightout access located along <br />County Road B, approximately three hundred feet (300') east of Snelling <br />Avenue, be changed to a right-in only. <br />